In her blog, At-large City Council-member Carol Wood shares the city of Lansing budget cuts announced by Mayor Virg Bernero today. Check out each of the cuts and share your reaction by commenting on Carol’s blog. Also share your ideas about how the city can raise more money and spend what it has more effectively.

Mayor Virg Bernero has scheduled a news conference for 9:30 a.m. today to announce $3 million in cuts for the current city budget. The City Hall announcement is expected to include cuts that will affect important services to city residents. As soon as I get the information, I will share it on this blog.

ON 11-23-09 A BREAK IN OF A HOME OCCURRED IN THE 1700 BLOCK OF VICTOR. DUE TO A NEIGHBOR KEEPING AN EYE OUT IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD, THE VEHICLE WAS SEEN LEAVING AND THE NEIGHBOR RETRIEVED A LICENSE PLATE. OFFICERS WERE ABLE TO LOCATE THE VEHICLE AND SOME PROPERTY. PLEASE PAY CLOSE ATTENTION TO YOUR NEIGHBORHOODS, ESPECIALLY DURING THE DAY TIME WHEN MOST ARE NOT HOME. ALSO REMEMBER TO LOCK ALL DOORS AND WINDOWS OF YOUR CARS AND HOMES AT ALL TIMES. KEEP AN EYE OUT FOR YOUR NEIGHBORS AND THEY WILL DO THE SAME FOR YOU!!!

The collection of leaves, grass clippings and other yard waste materials for City of Lansing residents will end the week of November 30, 2009. Residents should set out yard waste on their normal collection day that week.

City of Lansing residents must use paper bags for leaves and other organic yard waste materials and/or bundle brush with string or twine. Brush may be up to 4 feet in length and 2 inches around. Bags and bundles should weigh no more than 30 pounds each.City

The city of Lansing is looking at a huge budget reduction for this fiscal year. There are concerns that our police and fire services will be affected. Is there any financial advantage is combining services with East Lansing and other governmental units? The Grand Rapids area is looking at this possibility, but is finding obstacles in state law, according to a Grand Rapids Press story. Does such consolidation have any relevance for the greater Lansing area?

The Lansing State Journal this morning has a story giving a historical look at complaints against the Lansing Police Department for excessive use of force. It’s an important story about an important group of people to city residents and visitors. How do these stats compare with other cities? What’s your impression of LPD?

Check out these pictures of the Averill Woods clean-up featured on the city of Lansing website. They were taken by Murdock Jemerson, parks and rec director for the city and a resident of the neighborhood. Click here for a short video about the clean-up, who was involved and what it meant to our community.